Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
This section explains how you can come or stay as a sportsperson (Tier 2 Sportsperson) under our points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
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What is the sportsperson category?
The sportsperson category is for elite sports people and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level, and will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport.
Who can apply as a sportsperson?
Before you apply under the sportsperson category, you must have:
- a sponsor; and
- a valid certificate of sponsorship with a governing body endorsement number.
When you apply you are awarded points based on your:
- certificate of sponsorship;
- English language skills;
- and available maintenance (funds).
Your sponsor must give you your governing body endorsement number when they give you your certificate of sponsorship. Find a list of all our approved governing bodies.
You can apply under the sports person category now if you are:
- applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the sports person category(see initial applications);
- in the United Kingdom with permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain') in an immigration category that allows you to switch into the sports person category (see how to switch in to the sports person category);
- already in the United Kingdom as a sports person and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category (see extending your stay).
How long you can stay for
If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom and are given permission to come as a sportsperson, you will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum time of three years plus one month, or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus one month, whichever time is shorter.
If you are already inside the United Kingdom in a different category, you may be able to apply to switch into the category of sports person (Tier 2 sports person). If we approve your application you will be able to live and work here for a maximum of three years, or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
At the end of the three years, you will need to apply to extend your stay as a sportsperson if you want to stay. See extending your stay for more information.
If you are applying to extend your permission to stay in the United Kingdom as a sportsperson, you will get another two years, or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, which ever time is shorter.
If you are given permission to stay in the United Kingdom and your previous permission to stay was as a work permit holder, you can still apply under the transitional arrangements for permission to stay for a time that takes you to five years in the United Kingdom. For example, if you have been here for two and a half years with permission as a work permit holder or under the transitional arrangements you can apply for a further two and a half years permission to stay.
If this means you would get permission to stay for less than a further two years, you can apply for permission to stay for two years instead. For example, if you have been here for four years with permission as a work permit holder or under the transitional arrangements, you can apply for a further two years permission to stay.
You may apply for settlement once you have been here for five years. If you do not, you must apply under the points-based system and make a new application.
If you want to come to the United Kingdom as a sportsperson for a shorter time, you should apply under the creative and sporting worker category of tier 5. See creative and sporting workers for more information.
How long will we take to process your application?
Our service standards set out how quickly we aim to decide applications for living in the UK as a sportsperson. The standard for applications made under an employment route, of which tier 2 (Sportsperson) is a part, is that we will decide 75% of applications within four weeks.
Application forms
Tier 2 Sportsperson - for applications made inside the United Kingdom
- Application form for Tier 2 Sportsperson. Valid from 1 October 2009PDF 1.3MB opens in a new window
- Tier 2 of the points-based system - policy guidancePDF 512KB opens in a new window
See also
News & updates
- Tier 5 (temporary worker) - government authorised exchange - additional guidance
- Overseas government employees switching into Tier 5 (temporary worker) - international agreements
- Points-based system: approved English language tests for Tier 1 and Tier 2
- Government-approved shortage occupation list for Tier 2 of the points-based system
Terms explained
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European Economic Area
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.